Dog Friendly Areas

There are some restrictions on St.Mary's as to where dogs are allowed to be walked and they should also be kept on a lead on ANY road, on the off islands there is more freedom and local dogs also roam free.

Between the 1st May and 30th September, certain beaches on St.Mary's are closed to dogs, including Porthcressa, Porthmellon and Old Town Bay. It is suggested that dogs are kept under close supervision on the quays, near the airport and around farmland.

The Council employs a dog warden whose duty it is to advise and guide the general public to ensure that they act responsibly as required under the Environmental Protection Act and there is a Dogs Fouling Footways Byelaw on the Isles of Scilly which states:-
(a) No person being in charge of a dog shall allow the dog to foul the footway of any street or public place by depositing its excrement thereon. Provided that in proceedings for an offence against this byelaw it shall be a defense for the person charged to prove that he took all reasonable precaution and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.
(b) For the purpose of this byelaw the owner of the dog shall be deemed to be in charge thereof, unless the Court is satisfied that at the time when the dog fouled the footway it had been placed or taken into the charge of some other person. The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 also applies.

Dog bins are provided throughout Hugh Town and the Tourist Information Centre provide waste bags free of charge. Off islands do not have so many prominent bins, but it is an offense to foul the pathways so please make sure you have adequate provision to clean up after your pet.